BNP yesterday announced a two-day countrywide programme demanding its Chairperson Khaleda Zia's release from jail. The programme includes holding of an hour-long human chain on September 10 and a two-hour long token hunger strike on September 12, reports UNB.

Besides, the party will stage demonstrations across the country, including the in capital, on September 8 protesting the shifting of the makeshift court on Bakshibazar Alia Madrasah premises to Old Dhaka Central Jail to hold the trial of Zia Charitable Trust graft case against Khaleda. BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office. "We've brought some changes in our action programmes we announced at noon. We're now announcing a three-day revised programme," he said.

The BNP leader said they shifted their human chain programme to September 10 from September 8. As per the revised programmes, he said their party leaders and activists will form human chains in all metropolitan cities and district towns from 11 am to 12 pm on September 10.

In Dhaka, Rizvi said, the human chain programme will be held in front of the Jatiya Press Club on the same day and same time.

Besides, he said, the party will observe a token hunger strike in all metropolitan cities and all district towns from 10 am 12 noon on September 12.

The BNP leader also said they have sought permission from the authorities of Mohanagar Natya Mancha and the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh to get any of the venues to hold their token hunger strike programme.

Earlier at a press conference at noon, Rizvi announced a two-day programme, including human chain on September 8 and the hunger strike on September 12.

On February 8 last, a special court sentenced Khaleda to five years' rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Khaleda, a 73-year-old former prime minister, was taken to the old central jail minutes after the verdict was delivered.